Jamaica Screen
Development Initiative
Financing Jamaica's screen-based industries.
Overview
Support for Jamaican screen projects
JSDI is a Government of Jamaica financing initiative that funds eligible screen projects across development stages — helping new, emerging, and established talent create high-quality Jamaican content for global markets. Rolling applications are now closed for Film Festival & Market Attendance and Marketing & Distribution.
Contact us to applyObjectives
What the JSDI aims to achieve
Film financing
An alternative source of financial support for screen-based projects made in Jamaica — spanning local content creation, co-productions, and destination films.
Talent & industry development
Increase jobs and build capacity among creative and technical practitioners by growing the number of high-quality, commercially viable projects for domestic and global audiences.
Promotion of culture
Raise the profile of Jamaica's screen-based industries and Brand Jamaica internationally by supporting projects with strong cultural representation and commercial viability.
Business opportunities
Promote economic diversification and leverage inward investment, particularly for film infrastructure.
Funding categories
Six pathways to support
Development, Production, and Completion are assessed through periodic calls. Film Festival & Market Attendance, Marketing & Distribution, and Production Rebates accept rolling applications.
Development
Clear concept and vision with demonstrated development needs
Market potential; ideally thematically Jamaican and/or set in Jamaica
Periodic calls (typically 2–3 times per year)
Production
Writer, producer, and director attached
Minimum local spend and crew requirements apply
Periodic calls (typically 2–3 times per year)
Completion (post-production)
Available after principal photography
Local spend requirements for film and animation
Periodic calls (typically 2–3 times per year)
Film Festival & Market Attendance
Demonstrate acceptance to a festival or exhibition activity
Rolling applications
Marketing & Distribution
Distribution and marketing plans required
Letters of commitment from sales agents or partners
Rolling applications
Production Rebates
Minimum US$500k Jamaican spend
International companies need a local production partner
Rolling applications
Product eligibility
Eligible & ineligible formats
Live-action or animated works, open to all genres. Projects must be registered with the Jamaica Film Commission before principal photography begins.
Eligible formats
Feature film (60 minutes or more)
Short film (7–20 minutes)
Animated short (2–20 minutes)
Web series / episodics / mini-series
Reality / unscripted content
Ineligible formats
Music videos
Advertisements and commercials
News, sports, or dailies
Filmed theatre, sporting, or music events
Podcasts, livestreams, or influencer content
Artist installations, immersive (VR/XR) works, or video games
Who can apply
Applicant eligibility
Individuals
Jamaican citizen or ordinarily resident in Jamaica
Registered on the E-Registry
18+ and GOJ tax compliant at contract
Directly responsible for preparing or implementing the production
Companies
Registered at the Companies Office of Jamaica
GOJ tax compliant and registered on the E-Registry
Jamaican owned or at least 51% Jamaican co-owned
Registered to operate as a production company in audiovisual activities
International applicants
May apply for Marketing & Distribution and Production Rebates
Must meet product eligibility and other stated criteria
Production Rebates require a local production partner
Category requirements
Spend, crew & eligibility rules
Key thresholds from the operational guidelines. Always confirm details in the latest PDF before applying.
Development
Clear concept, vision, timelines, and demonstrated development needs
Estimated feasibility, viability, and market potential
Ideally thematically Jamaican and/or set in Jamaica
Awarded projects must be wholly or partially produced in Jamaica
Production
Writer, producer, and director attached
Minimum 40% of production budget spent on Jamaican goods and service providers
Engage a local film production company for in-island logistics
Film: ≥50% below-the-line Jamaican crew; ≥20% above-the-line / HOD / key creative / lead talent
Animation: ≥20% below-the-line Jamaican crew; ≥50% above-the-line / HOD / key creative / lead talent
Completion (post-production)
Principal photography completed with proof
Film and animation: minimum 40% of production-phase spend on Jamaican goods and service providers
Film Festival & Market Attendance
Demonstrate acceptance to a film festival or relevant exhibition activity
Marketing & Distribution
Demonstrate distribution and marketing plans
Letter of commitment from a sales agent, marketing agency, or equivalent
Production Rebates
Minimum spend of US$500k in Jamaica or on Jamaican goods and services
Must not have outstanding unrepaid JSDI disbursements
Distributor commitment letter required at contract signing
Same local-spend and crew thresholds as Production
Overseas companies must engage a local production partner
Must facilitate job shadowing/training and workshops for Jamaican filmmakers
Application documents
Document checklist by category
Mandatory and optional uploads vary by funding category (Development, Production, Completion, Festival & Market, Marketing & Distribution, and Production Rebates). Review the operational guidelines PDF for the full matrix — M = mandatory, O = optional — and confirm requirements in the online form once you select a category.
Download operational guidelinesEvaluation
How applications are assessed
Application verification
Every submission is checked for mandatory eligibility, completed sections, and required documents. Ineligible applications are notified; some may be invited to amend and resubmit.
Development, Production & Completion
Periodic calls (typically 2–3 per year). An external Evaluation Committee reviews applications — at least five evaluators per application, matched to relevant expertise, with independent scores used in selection.
Rolling categories
Film Festival & Market Attendance, Marketing & Distribution, and Production Rebates are accepted on a rolling basis, evaluated individually, and funded when the decision is favourable.
Evaluation criteria
Track record
Demonstrated ability of the creative team and production company to progress development, execute production, or market completed projects — including business viability.
Project feasibility
Budget, financing, schedule, and scope realism; creative and commercial merit; production-readiness of the script and director's vision (or quality of footage for later stages).
Commercial attractiveness
Market interest and global marketing strategy — audience, international sales potential, and letters proving market interest where available.
Benefits to Jamaica
Projected Jamaican expenditures, Jamaican employment (headcount and days), local ownership, and cultural value to Jamaica.
Multiple applications
- One project may apply sequentially for Development, then Production, then Completion within a year of the first application
- A project may apply for both grant and loan support under the same category where available
- Each project in a slate requires its own application and is assessed on its own merit
- Each film-festival acceptance requires a separate Festival & Market Attendance application
Related resources
Continue exploring screen opportunities
Read the guidelines
Confirm eligibility, spend thresholds, and document requirements in the official operational guidelines.
Review FAQs
See common questions on calls, rolling categories, and what successful applicants receive next.
Contact the JSDI team
Email the team to start your application. Successful applicants receive contract documents; others are encouraged to refine for the next call.
Ready to apply?
Review the operational guidelines and FAQs, then contact the JSDI team to start your application.